Leo Diegel
Name:
Leo Harvey DiegelAlso known as:
The DiegCountry:
USALived:
[1899-1951]. Born on April 20, 1899 in Gratiot Township, Wayne County, Michigan. Died on May 5, 1951 in North Hollywood, California, aged 52.Original/Home Club:
Philmont CC, PA (Head Pro).Occupation:
Professional golfer and teaching professional.Turned Pro:
1916MAJORS (2): US PGA Champion (1928, '29). Total professional wins (37), including PGA Tour (30). Ryder Cup player (1927, '29, '31, '33). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 2003).
Diegel's first introduction to golf was as a caddie when he was aged 10. Seven years later he won the Michigan Open in 1916, and four years after that in 1920 he was runner-up to Ted Ray in the U.S. Open Championship.
Winner of two U.S. PGA Championships and a total of 30 PGA circuit events, Diegel was known for his excellent ball-striking, but inconsistent putting skills. Following a playful wrestling accident with his friend "Lighthorse" Harry Cooper in 1934, Diegel was left with damaged nerves in his right shoulder. The injury eventually forced him to quit professional tournament golf in favour of becoming a teaching professional.
America
x
Played as the Canadian Open (July 25-27). Second-placed Tommy Armour (Scot/USA) finished 3 shots behind defending champion Leo Diegel (USA), who won this title for the fourth time. [Kanawaki GC, Kahnawake, Québec].
America
x
Played as the San Diego Open (Jan 3-6; next played in 1952). Second-placed Horton Smith (USA) finished 1 shot behind defending champion Diegel (USA). [San Diego CC, Chula Vista, CA].
Majors
PGA of America
The US PGA Championship (12th) (Dec 2-7). Defending champion Diegel (USA) beat Johnny Farrell (USA) 6 and 4 in the 36-hole final. [Hillcrest CC, Los Angeles, CA].
Majors
PGA of America
The US PGA Championship (11th) (Oct 1-6). Diegel (USA) beat Al Espinosa (USA) 6 and 5 in the 36-hole final. [East course, Baltimore CC, Lutherville, Maryland].
America
x
Played as the Canadian Open (July 26-28). Second-placed Macdonald "Mac" Smith (Scot/USA), Walter Hagen (USA) and Archie Compston (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Leo Diegel (USA), who recorded the third of his four wins in this event. [Rosedale GC, Toronto, Ont.].
America
x
Played as the San Diego Open (Dec 16-18). Second-placed Bobby Cruickshank (Scot) and Horton Smith (USA) finished 2 shots behind Diegel (USA). [San Diego CC, Chula Vista, CA].
America
x
Played as the Canadian Open (July 30-Aug 1). Second-placed Mike Brady (USA) finished 2 shots behind wire-to-wire winner and defending champion Leo Diegel (USA). [Lambton G&CC, Toronto, Ont.].
America
x
Played as the Canadian Open (Aug 1/2). Second-placed Gene Sarazen (USA) finished 2 shots behind Leo Diegel (USA). [Mount Bruno CC, Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, nr Montreal, Quebec].
America
PGA of America
Played as the Shawnee Open (July 14/15). Leo Diegel (USA) beat Willie Macfarlane (Scot) in an 18-hole playoff (Diegel 69, Macfarlane 75). The playoff was held on the same day as the final 36 holes of regulation play. [Shawnee CC & Inn, Shawnee on Delaware, Pennsylvania; at the time the Inn was known as the Buckwood Inn].
Chevron Championship: Carlton Woods near Houston in Texas provides the stage for the first women’s major championship of 2025, where Nelly Korda defends her title. (April 24-27).
Soudal Open: successor to the Belgian Open, the Soudal Open takes place on the quiet, wooded North course of Rinkven Golfclub. Belgian stars Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts will be vying for top honours. (May 22-25).
Rory McIlroy: with his 2025 win in The Masters, Rory joined the pantheon of golfing greats who have achieved a career Grand Slam of men’s majors ... Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the only others in this select band.
Bernhard Langer: he may have played in his last Masters Tournament, but the 67-year-old German will be trying to extend his own record, and win a 13th senior major title at the 36th Regions Tradition. (May 15-18).
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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